Purification and isolation of recombinant oxalate degrading enzymes and spray-dried particles containing oxalate degrading enzymes

ABSTRACT

The present invention comprises methods and compositions for the reduction of oxalate in humans, and methods for the purification and isolation of recombinant oxalate reducing enzyme proteins. The invention provides methods and compositions for the delivery of oxalate-reducing enzymes in particle compositions. The compositions of the present invention are suitable in methods of treatment or prevention of oxalate-related conditions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spray-dried particles comprisingoxalate reducing enzymes for delivering the enzymes in an active form tothe stomach, where the oxalate reducing enzymes exert their effect.Thus, the present invention provides means for reducing oxalate in thestomach. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method forisolating a recombinant protein that is insoluble in the cytoplasm of ahost cell and is not found as an inclusion body, which is regarded asinactive, mis-folded protein precipitate, comprising,

a) separating an insoluble recombinant protein not found as an inclusionbody from soluble host cell proteins; and

b) solubilising the separated recombinant protein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kidney/urinary tract stone disease (urolithiasis) is a major healthproblem throughout the world. Most of the stones associated withurolithiasis are composed of calcium oxalate alone or calcium oxalateplus calcium phosphate. Other disease states have also been associatedwith excess oxalate. These include, vulvodynia, oxalosis associated withend-stage renal disease, cardiac conductance disorders, Crohns'sdisease, and other enteric disease states.

Oxalic acid, and/or its salts, oxalate, is found in a wide variety offoods, and is therefore, a component of many constituents in human andanimal diets. Increased oxalate absorption may occur after foodscontaining elevated amounts of oxalic acid are eaten. Foods such asspinach and rhubarb are well known to contain high amounts of oxalate,but a multitude of other foods and beverages also contain oxalate.Because oxalate is found in such a wide variety of foods, diets that arelow in oxalate and which are also palatable are hard to formulate. Inaddition, compliance with a low oxalate diet is often problematic.

The risk for formation of kidney stones revolves around a number offactors that are not yet completely understood. Kidney or urinary tractstone disease occurs in as many as 12% of the population in Westerncountries and about 70% of these stones are composed of calcium oxalateor of calcium oxalate plus calcium phosphate. Some individuals (e.g.patients with intestinal disease such as Crohn's disease, inflammatorybowel disease, or steatorrhea and also patients that have undergonejejunoileal bypass surgery) absorb more of the oxalate in their dietsthan do others. For these individuals, the incidence of oxalateurolithiasis increases markedly. The increased disease incidence is dueto increased levels of oxalate in kidneys and urine, and this, the mostcommon hyperoxaluric syndrome in humans, is known as enterichyperoxaluria. Oxalate is also a problem in patients with end-stagerenal disease and there is recent evidence that elevated urinary oxalateis also involved in vulvar vestibulitis (vulvodynia).

Enteric coated or other compositions comprising oxalate reducingbacteria have been suggested for reducing oxalate concentrations duringpassage through the intestines before being absorbed systemically.Enteric coated compositions pass through the stomach in intact form,i.e. the coating is intact and accordingly, oxalate will not be degradedin the stomach. A better approach is to reduce oxalate in the stomachbefore it is absorbed in the intestines. Accordingly, there is a needfor developing compositions that enable reduction of oxalate in thestomach in order to reduce, for example, dietary oxalate. Moreover, suchcompositions are suitable for use in the treatment of enteric andabsorptive hyperoxalurias such as hyperoxalurias causing recurrent stonedisease. An objective with such a treatment is for the patients to havenormal or at least lowered urinary oxalate levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to spray-dried particles comprising anoxalate degrading enzyme. The spray-dried particles are suitable for usein pharmaceutical and/or food compositions for delivering the enzyme inan active form to the stomach and to degrade oxalate in the stomach.Thus, the present invention also provides methods for treating andpreventing oxalate-related conditions by administration of thespray-dried particles or compositions comprising them.

The present invention also provides a method for isolation andpurification of recombinant proteins that are insoluble or only slightlysoluble in the cytoplasm of a host cell, and are not found as inclusionbodies of the host cell. Notably, the recombinant proteins arerecombinant oxalate degrading enzymes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a chromatogram of wild type OxDC eluted from Phenyl-sepharosecolumn by segment gradient salt elution. Peaks 1 and 2 both containOxDC, but peak 1 contains 80-90% of OxDC with higher specific activity(50-60 U/mg pure OxDC) and peak 2 contains 30-70% OxDC with lowerspecific activity (30-50 U/mg pure OxDC). OxDC in peak 2 is theorized tobe damaged or folded incorrectly. Peak 3 is impurities.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing mean urinary excretion of oxalate of rats fed0 mg oxalate (baseline, no ox), 2.3% potassium oxalate (HOD) and oxalatedecarboxylase particles of the present invention (Oxazyme) inconjunction with 2.3% potassium oxalate. Urinary oxalate is normalizedagainst creatinine and is the accumulation of urine collected from days4 and 9. Ox/Cr is Oxalate/creatinine.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

As appears from the above, the present invention provides

i) a method for isolating and purification of recombinant proteins,notably oxalate degrading enzymes,

ii) spray-dried particles comprising one or more oxalate degradingenzymes, and

iii) compositions comprising such particles.

Thus, the present invention is further developments of previouslydescribed compositions and method for treating oxalate-related diseasessee e.g. WO 2007/075447 (to the same Applicant). Moreover, the presentinventors have surprisingly found that specific mutations of thewild-type oxalate decarboxylase, notably by substituting a cysteineresidue in position 383 with serine, alanine or arginine, conferphysico-chemical properties to the enzyme that are particularlyadvantageous in the isolation and purification of the enzyme. Thus, thepresent isolation and purification method involves fewer steps thannormally seen and makes use of variations in solubility of the enzymesin cytoplasma and in purification media.

Furthermore, the present inventors have found a more simple solution todeliver active oxalate degrading enzymes to the stomach. In WO2007/075447 (to the same Applicant) compositions are described thatcontain particles having a content of an oxalate degrading enzymes. Theparticles contain a combination of various polymers and are protected bythe harsh environment in the stomach by multiple layers of polymersand/or by cross-linking the polymers to strengthen the resistancetowards pepsin and pH in the stomach. However, a more simple solutionhas been developed that makes use of a very specific group of polymers,notably poly(meth)acrylates, in combination with one or more oxalatedegrading enzymes. The particles are prepared using a mild process,namely spray-drying. Even if the enzymes may not be completely protectedfrom the environment in the stomach by incorporating them intospray-dried particles, the examples herein show a remarkable activityafter the spray-drying method and after exposure to a simulated gastricenvironment.

DEFINITIONS

The term “oxalate reducing enzyme” as used herein is intended to denoteany enzyme that is capable of reducing oxalate. It may reduce oxalateper se and/or it may function in an oxalate reduction pathway. In thiscontext the term “oxalate” encompasses oxalic acid and/or any salts(s)thereof (oxalate). The present invention contemplates the use of anyknown oxalate reducing or degrading enzymes.

Enzymes used in the particles, compositions and methods of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, oxalate oxidase, oxalatedecarboxylase (abbreviated OxDc), oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase, orformyl-CoA transferase, or combinations thereof, whether native ormutated. Moreover, other enzymes, cofactors and co-enzymes that aresubstituents of oxalate degradation pathways or involved in oxalatemetabolic pathways, particularly oxalate reduction, are also ofrelevance alone or in combination with one or more of theabove-mentioned enzymes. In the present context not only the enzymes areencompassed by this definition, but also polynucleotide sequences thatencode oxalate-reducing genes and proteins are contemplated by thepresent invention. The present invention also contemplates any bindingpartners of these enzymes and includes antibodies and antibody fragmentsthat bind to or interact with the enzymes.

The enzymes may be derived by isolation from organisms, they may bepurified, they may be made synthetically, semi-synthetically or byrecombinant means, or they may be used as a cell lysate. Normally, theenzymes will be employed as purified recombinant proteins. When used ina medical use (as a drug) or in food (as food supplement, functionalfood or as a prophylactic measure), it is preferred that the one or moreenzymes used are well-defined with respect to purity and activity.

One or more enzymes, mutated or wild-type, from the three main classesof oxalate-degrading enzymes are generally employed. Oxalate oxidase, isexpressed in higher plants and catalyzes the oxygen dependent oxidationof oxalate to CO₂ with concomitant formation of H₂O₂. This reactionforms the basis of current assays for the detection of urinary oxalatelevels. A rOxOx three-step purification procedure has been developed toobtain oxalate oxidase from barley roots. This enzyme is also present inbeetroot stem and root, amaranthus leaves, sorghum and many othergrains.

Oxalate decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.2), the second class of oxalatemetabolizing enzymes, is mainly present in fungi. It has been reportedand characterized in several fungi such as, Myrothecium verrucaria,certain strains of Aspergillus niger, white rot fungus, Coriolusversicolor and Collybia velutipes. This enzyme converts oxalate toformate and carbon dioxide in an oxygen dependent reaction. Oxalatedecarboxylases also have been used in the clinical assay of oxalate inblood and urine and can be used to lower oxalate levels in foods and theenvironment. The YvrK protein (the B. subtilis oxalate decarboxylase)has been expressed as a functional recombinant protein in E. coli,purified to homogeneity and fully characterized.

Oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase is active on the CoA-activated substrate andconverts it into formyl-CoA. A formyl-CoA transferase then acts toexchange formate and oxalate on CoA. These enzymes have been studied inthe oxalate reducing bacteria, Pseudomonas oxalaticus commonly found inthe soil and in Oxalobacter formigenes, residing in the GI tract ofvertebrates and humans. The enzymes have been fully reviewed in, “Theenzymes of oxalate metabolism: Unexpected structures and metabolism”Svedruzic D. at al. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2005 Jan. 1; 433(1):176-92,which is herein incorporated in its entirety. The enzymes, whethernative enzymes, isolated proteins or those made by recombinanttechniques, may be modified by recombinant or chemical means and maycontain side groups or other appended molecules. For example, enzymesmay be modified to have linker molecules for attachment to othermolecules or chemical compounds.

As appears from the examples herein specific mutations of oxalatedecarboxylase that lead to a replacement amino acid for cysteine 383 areadvantageous (e.g. C383S, C383A, C383R). Accordingly, such recombinantenzymes are specifically of interest in the various aspects of thepresent invention.

As used herein the singular of the term “an enzyme” refers to multiplecopies of the enzyme molecule, as is commonly understood in reference toprotein molecules.

As used herein, enzyme includes recombinant enzyme proteins.

As used herein, the term “one or more enzymes” means that one type ofenzyme may be present, such as formyl-CoA transferase is intended, ormore than one type of enzyme, such as a composition comprising, forexample oxalyl CoA decarboxylase and formyl CoA transferase; oxalatedecarboxylase and oxalate oxidase, or a combination of wild-type enzymeand mutant enzyme, are present in the composition.

The term “inclusion body” (which also could be denoted “proteininclusion body” or “cytoplasmic inclusion body” means a body formed byaggregation of insoluble polypeptide chains that is found in thecytoplasma of cells. Such inclusion bodies are seen in prokaryotic cellsthat serve as hosts for recombinantly produced foreign proteins. It iscurrently believed that the majority of the recombinant proteins ininclusion bodies are misfolded or biologically inactive, though someactivity has been seen in recombinantly produced fluorescent proteins.As is apparent from the above, the invention does not relate torecombinant proteins found as inactive inclusion bodies when expressedin a host such as e.g. E. Coli and consequently, the invention relatesto recombinant enzymes that are expressed and resulting in such a foldedstate so as to enable enzymatically active forms.

The term “particles”, is used herein to describe compositions containingone or more types of an oxalate-reducing enzyme combined with a polymer.In general the term “particles”, is used as the broadest term, i.e.without any specific size or shape attribution.

The term “spray-dried particles” mean particles that are obtained by aspray-drying method.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Method for Isolating and Purification of Recombinant Proteins, NotablyOxalate Degrading Enzymes

The present invention provides a method for isolation and purificationof recombinant proteins from host cells. The method comprises purifyingoxalate reducing enzymes using efficient and simplified steps thatresult in improved yields of protein.

Recombinant proteins may include mutated oxalate reducing enzymes. Themethods of the present invention are directed to recombinant proteinsthat are present in the cytoplasm of a host cell as active enzymeproteins, which are not soluble in the cytoplasm and appear to beprecipitated, but are not found as inclusion bodies. Such proteins arethought to be insoluble or only slightly soluble in the cytoplasm of thehost cell. An aspect of the present invention comprises lysis of thehost cell and facilitated separation of the recombinant protein from thesoluble cytoplasmic proteins. Separation may easily be accomplished bycentrifugation or filtration of the cytoplasm. After separation, therecombinant protein is preferentially solubilized by methods including,but not limited to, adding binding ligands or altering the pH. Oncesoluble, the protein can be removed from solution, for example byprecipitation, and stored or used, such as in particles disclosedherein.

Methods of the present invention comprise methods for isolation andpurification of recombinant oxalate reducing enzymes, such as mutatedrecombinant oxalate reducing enzyme proteins. Expression of recombinantproteins often results in the sequestering of the proteins in inclusionbodies in E. coli because the proteins in inclusion bodies pose muchless of a toxic burden to the host cells than soluble recombinantproteins. The proteins in inclusion bodies are also less accessible todegradation by E. coli proteases due to the insoluble form. However, itis quite challenging to refold the proteins from inclusion bodies toyield active enzymes. If a protein can be expressed in an active form,but insoluble or only slightly soluble in E. coli cells duringexpression, and are not found as inclusion bodies, the proteinexpression could be at levels like those seen when inclusion bodies areformed. Proteins having limited solubility in the cytoplasm and thus,precipitating in the cytoplasm of the cells, would not require arefolding step.

For example, oxalate decarboxylase (OxDC) wild type recombinant proteinhas a certain level of solubility in E. coli cytoplasm, with a smallerportion (5%, Table 1) found as soluble protein in cell lysate and alarger portion (95%, Table 1) found as insoluble protein in the brokencell pellet. The insoluble portion can dissolve in high saltconcentrations such as 1M NaCl or 0.75M (NH₄)SO₄ and the dissolved OxDCcontains two major forms which can be separated by a hydrophobicinteraction chromatography (HIC) column (FIG. 1). Both OxDC peaks areactive, but OxDC in the peak eluted at higher concentrations of salt(peak 1, FIG. 1) shows about 20% higher specific activity. It appearsthat the OxDC in the peak eluted at lower concentrations of salt (peak2, see FIG. 1) is damaged. This protein fraction is more hydrophobic andless active. Soluble proteins in the cytoplasm are more accessible todamage by protease hydrolysis, other enzyme catalyzing reactions,chemical reaction and physical modification.

Proteins expressed as inclusion bodies have been widely reported, butthere is no report on how to express a protein in an insoluble orslightly insoluble state, such as precipitated, and in an active form.Having a recombinant protein rendered less soluble in the cytoplasm ofthe host leads to a simplified purification method for the protein.Because the recombinant protein is insoluble or has lower solubility,the soluble proteins of the host organism, such as E. coli, are easilyseparated by centrifugation or filtration, generally as a first stepafter lysis of the host cell. The insoluble or slightly solublerecombinant protein, found in the centrifugation pellet or the remainderafter filtration, may be treated, such as by solubilization with aselective buffer. A selective buffer is found by selection of pH and/orscreening specific binding ligands. Many proteins have very limitedsolubility when the pH is close to the pl, but have increased solubilitywhen the pH is greater than 2 pH units above or below the pl. Proteinsolubility may also be changed by suspending the pellet in solutionscontaining binding ligands. For example, OxDC has limited solubility atpH 4.5-7.8 for the wild type recombinant protein and pH 4.0-8.0 for theC383S mutant protein. C383 indicates the cysteine at amino acid 383 inthe oxalate decarboxylase amino acid sequence. The S indicates that thecysteine has been replaced with a serine. OxDC solubility increases ifthe pH is greater than 8.5 for the wild type OxDC and 9.0 for the C383Smutant. Tris and arginine are selective binding ligands to OxDC, and useof either of them will increase OxDC solubility. Methods of the presentinvention comprise purification steps comprising adding binding ligandsor changing the pH of the media to aid in solubility of enzymes orproteins found in a pellet after centrifugation, or retentate afterfiltration, of soluble protein of a host cell.

Moreover, such methods for isolating a mutated oxalate reducing enzymerecombinant protein may result in increased amounts of recoveredprotein, and higher amounts than those seen with recombinant wild-typeoxalate reducing enzyme protein. The methods normally also have fewersteps so that a more simple purification process is possible. Forexample, the soluble proteins of the host organism, such as E. coli, areseparated, such as by centrifugation or filtration from the recombinantprotein which is insoluble or has lower solubility than the hostproteins in the host cell cytoplasm. Mutated oxalate reducingrecombinant proteins may not be like the wild-type recombinant proteinin other ways, such as the mutated proteins may not form protein-proteininteractions that lead to aggregate formations. For example, replacementof the cysteine amino acid in oxalate decarboxylase results in a mutatedprotein that cannot form disulfide bonds, which leads to fewer to noprotein aggregates.

An example of a method of the present invention comprises lysis of hostcells that are making recombinant mutated oxalate reducing enzymeprotein or proteins. After lysis of the host cells, for example, E. colicells, all soluble host proteins are removed, for example, by filtrationor centrifugation. The recombinant protein, such as a mutant recombinantoxalate reducing enzyme protein, which is not soluble or only slightlysoluble in the cytoplasm of the host cell, and is not found as aninclusion body, is found in the centrifugation pellet or as retentate infiltration. The mutant protein is then solubilized, such as bysolubilization with a selective buffer or a binding ligand, or othermethods known to those skilled in the art. A selective buffer may bedetermined for example, by pH parameters. Many proteins have limitedsolubility when the pH is close to the pl, but will have increasedsolubility when the pH is greater than 2 pH units above or below the pl.For example, OxDC has limited solubility at pH 4.5-7.8 for the wild typerecombinant protein and pH 4.0-8.0 for the C383S mutant recombinantprotein.

Solubilization may also be affected by protein binding ligands. Proteinsolubility may change when binding ligands are present in solution. Thisproperty can be applied to protein purification through selectiveprecipitation and dissolving. Binding ligands for a particular proteincan be found by methods known to those skilled in the art, such asdifferential scanning calorimetry, UV spectroscopy, infraredspectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and other methods which detectligands and protein interactions. For example, there are a number ofchemical compounds and ions that can bind to OxDC and influencesolubility such as Tris, arginine, Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺. It ispreferable to use compounds or ions that do not inhibit the activity ofthe enzyme or if the compounds or ions inhibit activity that thecompounds or ions are easily removed to recover active enzyme proteins.For example, Tris and arginine do not inhibit OxDC activity and increaseOxDC solubility when pH is greater than 8.0 for wild type OxDC and 8.5for the C383S mutant of OxDC.

Methods of the present invention for isolation and purification of amutant recombinant oxalate reducing enzyme protein may comprise one orboth of, low solubility of the recombinant mutant protein in hostcytoplasm, and high solubility of the mutant recombinant oxalatereducing enzyme protein after changing solubilization conditions such asby adding binding ligands and/or adjusting pH.

In currently used processes for isolating and purifying recombinantproteins problems often arise in the use of large chromatography columnswhich are challenging to construct and operate at a scale that isrequired for large scale isolation and purification. This process isdemonstrated in Example 1. Eliminating such steps would lead to a lowercost for purification and a simpler process, which is demonstrated inExample 4.

Methods of the present invention comprise purification or isolation of arecombinant protein from host cells. Methods of isolation compriseisolating a recombinant protein that is slightly insoluble to insolublein the cytoplasm of the host organism. Isolation steps compriseobtaining a host cell lysate, washing the lysate, such as byresuspending the lysate and centrifuging it to form a lysate pellet;suspending the lysate pellet in a protein solubilization media, such asa media that contains binding ligands or other compounds that alter thepH response of the protein (e.g. increase the solubility of theprotein); centrifuging the mixture and acting on the liquid phase, notthe non-soluble pellet. The recombinant protein is removed from theliquid phase. For example, the pH of the liquid phase is adjusted andthe recombinant protein precipitates out of solution. The non-solublepellet may be re-extracted multiple times to form liquid phases out ofwhich the recombinant protein is removed, such as by precipitation. Theremoved protein may be washed one or more times and stored or used asneeded.

Enzymes that are insoluble or only slightly soluble in the cytoplasm andare not found as an inclusion body of host cells, such as E. coli, andare isolated by the methods taught herein, may comprise recombinantnon-native or mutated oxalate reducing enzyme proteins that comprisemodifications or mutations, including, but not limited to, chimerasformed using domains comprising the oxalate reducing active site of anoxalate reducing enzyme, or peptide fragments, notably those comprisingor consisting of the active sites; modifications or mutations,including, but not limited to, deletions, insertions, replacements,reversions, mutations for increased activity, substitution of naturallyoccurring amino acids with non-natural amino acids, or othermodifications known to those skilled in the art. Such modified enzymesmay have more, less or the same activity as native enzymes, or may havecharacteristics that are the same or different from native or unmodifiedenzymes. The present invention contemplates methods and compositionscomprising whole enzymes, fragments, peptides, binding regions, activesites or other functional regions, segments, sequences and promoter andcontrol sequences of oxalate reducing enzymes.

The present invention comprises use of recombinant proteins, andrecombinant proteins mutated so as to cause the proteins to be insolubleor only slightly soluble in the cytoplasm of the host at rates higherthan those seen in wild-type or not-mutated recombinant proteins.Additionally, these recombinant proteins are not found as inclusionbodies in the host cell. There are several methods to modify proteinsolubility such as replacement of hydrophilic residue(s) with lesshydrophilic residue(s), replacement of charged amino acid(s) withnon-charged amino acid(s), and/or addition of hydrophobic peptidetail(s) at the C- and/or N-terminus. The modifications should notinactivate the protein and the modified protein with low solubilityshould be expressed in an active form by the host cell, such as by E.coli. The present invention comprises methods for mutation of oxalatereducting enzymes, and the mutant enzymes, including, but not limitedto, oxalate decarboxylase, oxalate oxidase, oxalyl co-A decarboxylaseand formyl CoA transferase. The mutations would preferably not decreaseor inactivate the functionality of the enzyme.

An example of mutations contemplated by the present invention isdescribed. Both the N- and C-terminals of OxDC are distant from thecatalytic sites and are quite flexible. The flexibility of the twotermini as determined from x-ray crystallography reveal that the first 7amino acids of the N-terminal tail and the last 6 amino acids of theC-terminus did not diffract due to conformational heterogeniety. Amongthe 6 residues at the C-terminus, C383 was chosen for mutation becausethere are many amino acids more hydrophobic or hydrophilic than Cyswhich can be selected to replace it. C383 represents the cysteine atposition 383 in the oxalate decarboxylase amino acid sequence. Inaddition, C383 is the only Cys in OxDC, but has been shown to readilyform disulfide bonds among OxDC hexamers and further generateaggregates. Replacement of C383 may eleminate formation of suchaggregates and thus increase OxDC stability in solution. Mutations wereintroduced in the C-terminus region.

Multiple genes were created from the original yvrk gene sequence (thewild-type yvrk), oxalate decarboxylase. The original gene was fromBacillus subtilis, and the gene sequence was optimized for expression inE. coli using an algorithm from GenScript Corporation, Piscataway, N.J.The gene was optimized for codon usage, balancing GC content, removingrepetitive elements, and ensuring the absence of internal restrictionsites for cloning. The codon optimized gene resulted in a protein withthe identical amino acid sequence as the wild-type yvrk.

Modifications were then made to the single cysteine codon of both thewild-type yvrk gene, and the optimized yvrk gene, resulting inadditional unique gene sequences. The cysteine codon was replaced with aserine, arginine, or alanine codon.

The gene sequence of the wild-type yvrk gene may be optimized foradditional expression systems such as Pichia or Saccharomyces using thesame methods. In addition, expression in a Bacillus expression systemmay be improved by optimizing the gene for optimum codon usage and GCcontent, and removal of repetitive elements. Codon optimization may alsobe used for modification of the secondary structure of the protein atpositions other than the cysteine codon already modified, or in additionto the cysteine modification, for example, as a method to improvepegylation, microsphere binding or encapsulation, as a method to improvepH stability at low pHs, or as a method to improve the activity of theprotein.

Original yvrk sequence with the cysteine codon marked in bold.

SEQ ID 1 AAAAAACAAAATGACATTCCGCAGCCAATTAGAGGAGACAAAGGAGCAA CGGTAAAAATCCCGCGCAATATTGAAAGAGACCGGCAAAACCCTGATATGCTCGTTCCGC CTGAAACCGATCATGGCACCGTCAGCAATATGAAGTTTTCATTCTCTGATACTCATAACC GATTAGAAAAAGGCGGATATGCCCGGGAAGTGACAGTACGTGAATTGCCGATTTCAGAAA ACCTTGCATCCGTAAATATGCGGCTGAAGCCAGGCGCGATTCGCGAGCTTCACTGGCATA AAGAAGCTGAATGGGCTTATATGATTTACGGAAGTGCAAGAGTCACAATTGTAGATGAAA AAGGGCGCAGCTTTATTGACGATGTAGGTGAAGGAGACCTTTGGTACTTCCCGTCAGGCCT GCCGCACTCCATCCAAGCGCTGGAGGAGGGAGCTGAGTTCCTGCTCGTGTTTGACGATGG ATCATTCTCTGAAAACAGCACGTTCCAGCTGACAGATTGGCTGGCCCACACTCCAAAAGA AGTCATTGCTGCGAACTTCGGCGTGACAAAAGAAGAGATTTCCAATTTGCCTGGCAAAGA AAAATATATATTTGAAAACCAACTTCCTGGCAGTTTAAAAGATGATATTGTGGAAGGGCC GAATGGCGAAGTGCCTTATCCATTTACTTACCGCCTTCTTGAACAAGAGCCGATCGAATC TGAGGGAGGAAAAGTATACATTGCAGATTCGACAAACTTCAAAGTGTCTAAAACCATCGC ATCAGCGCTCGTAACAGTAGAACCCGGCGCCATGAGAGAACTGCACTGGCACCCGAATAC CCACGAATGGCAATACTACATCTCCGGTAAAGCTAGAATGACCGTTTTTGCATCTGACGG CCATGCCAGAACGTTTAATTACCAAGCCGGTGATGTCGGATATGTACCATTTGCAATGGG TCATTACGTTGAAAACATCGGGGATGAACCGCTTGTCTTTTTAGAAATCTTCAAAGACGA CCATTATGCTGATGTATCTTTAAACCAATGGCTTGCCATGCTTCCTGAAACATTTGTTCA AGCGCACCTTGACTTGGGCAAAGACTTTACTGATGTGCTTTCAAAAGAAAAGCACCCAGT AGTGAAAAAGAAATGCAGTAAA

Yvrk gene sequence optimized for E. coli, with restriction sites at the5′ and 3′ ends (underlined), and the cysteine codon marked in bold.

SEQ ID 2 CATATGAAAAAACAGAATGACATTCCACAGCCGATTCGCGGCGATAAAG GCGCGACCGTCAAAATTCCTCGCAATATCGAACGCGACCGCCAGAATCCGGATATGCTGG TGCCGCCGGAGACGGACCATGGCACGGTGTCTAACATGAAATTCTCTTTTAGCGATACCC ACAACCGCCTGGAAAAAGGTGGCTACGCGCGCGAGGTTACCGTCCGTGAACTGCCAATTA GCGAAAATCTGGCTTCGGTTAACATGCGTCTGAAACCAGGTGCTATCCGTGAGCTGCACT GGCACAAGGAAGCGGAATGGGCGTATATGATTTACGGTTCAGCACGTGTTACCATCGTAG ACGAGAAAGGTCGTAGCTTTATCGATGATGTTGGCGAAGGTGATCTGTGGTATTTCCCAT CTGGCCTGCCGCATTCGATTCAGGCGCTGGAAGAAGGCGCTGAATTTCTGCTGGTGTTCG ATGATGGTTCCTTTTCTGAAAACAGCACGTTCCAGCTGACGGATTGGCTGGCGCACACGC CGAAAGAAGTCATTGCGGCCAATTTTGGGGTAACCAAAGAAGAAATTTCCAACCTGCCGG GCAAAGAAAAGTATATTTTTGAGAATCAGCTGCCGGGCTCTCTGAAGGACGATATTGTAG AAGGCCCTAACGGTGAGGTGCCGTATCCGTTCACCTATCGTCTGCTGGAGCAGGAACCGA TTGAAAGCGAAGGCGGTAAAGTTTATATCGCAGATTCCACTAACTTTAAAGTCTCCAAGA CCATTGCCAGCGCCCTGGTCACCGTGGAACCGGGAGCGATGCGCGAGCTGCACTGGCATC CGAACACGCACGAATGGCAGTATTATATTTCCGGCAAAGCACGCATGACCGTTTTTGCCT CAGATGGACACGCTCGCACGTTTAATTATCAAGCGGGTGATGTTGGCTACGTTCCTTTCG CCATGGGCCATTATGTAGAAAATATCGGCGATGAACCACTGGTGTTTCTGGAGATCTTTA AAGATGACCACTATGCCGATGTTTCACTGAATCAGTGGCTGGCCATGCTGCCGGAAACTT TTGTTCAGGCGCATCTGGACCTGGGTAAAGACTTTACGGATGTGCTGAGCAAAGAAAAACACCCGGTAGTCAAGAAGAAATGCAGTAAAGGATCC

Other sequences of the present invention comprise the yvrk gene of SEQID 1 comprising bases 1142-1152 of SEQ ID 3-16. NOs 3-8 are serine, NOs.9-14 are arginine, and NOs 15-19 are alanine.

SEQ ID 3 ATCTAGTAAA SEQ ID 4 ATCCAGTAAA SEQ ID 5 ATCAAGTAAA SEQ ID 6ATCGAGTAAA SEQ ID 7 AAGTAGTAAA SEQ ID 8 AAGCAGTAAA SEQ ID 9 ACGTAGTAAASEQ ID 10 ACGCAGTAAA SEQ ID 11 ACGAAGTAAA SEQ ID 12 ACGGAGTAAA SEQ ID 13AAGAAGTAAA SEQ ID 14 AAGGAGTAAA SEQ ID 15 AGCTAGTAAA SEQ ID 16AGCCAGTAAA SEQ ID 17 AGCAAGTAAA SEQ ID 18 AGCGAGTAAA SEQ ID 19AGGAAGTAAA

Particles Including Spray-Dried Particles

An aspect the present invention relates to particles comprising oxalatereducing enzymes and a polymeric material. The oxalate reducing enzymemay be a mutant recombinant oxalate reducing enzyme protein.

The particles should be able to degrade oxalate in the stomach of ahuman or animal, i.e. formation of the particles may not lead to markedloss of activity of the enzymatic activity and the properties of theparticles must be to protect the enzymes contained in the particles fromdegradation and/or inactivation. Thus, the enzyme must be active at a pHcorresponding to the pH normally found in the stomach (pH 2.5-5 aftermeal) or, alternatively, a pH-regulating agent may be incorporated inthe particles as well or admixed with the particles beforeadministration. Suitable pH-regulating agents include buffer substancessuch as those well known to the skilled person.

Particle formation (in combination with the use of a specific method forpreparing the particles and specific polymers or copolymers employed) iscontemplated to protect the enzyme protein from pepsin digestion toensure activity of enzyme. Particle formation of proteins and polymericmaterial is contemplated by the present invention. As used herein,particle formation means the association of protein with a polymeric orcopolymeric solution to form small particles comprising active enzymesand polymers or co-polymers. Such methods of formation of active enzymeparticles increase the amount of active enzyme in the particle and mayincrease the efficacy of a dosage form containing the particles whenused in a treatment or prevention regimen. The particle formation aidsin the protection of the enzyme from pepsin digestion.

It is important to ensure that the method employed for particleformation does not involve reagents, solvents, temperatures, apparatusetc. that leads to a risk for inactivation of the enzymes. Thus, careshould be taken to avoid methods involving e.g. organic solvents, hightemperatures and low or high pH.

There are many approaches to particle formation such as coacervation,phase separation, polymerization, spray-drying, electrostatic methods,and air suspension approaches. Spray drying is a mechanicalmicro-encapsulation method developed in the 1930s. This techniqueutilizes a drug or active substance, mixed with polymer(s) and/or otherexcipients to form the feed, which can be either a solution, suspension,dispersion, or emulsion. The feed is atomized into droplets andintroduced in the drying chamber along with dry hot gas. Droplets losemoisture to the dry hot gas and form dry powders.

A suitable method for making active enzyme particles of the presentinvention is spray-drying. In such a method the enzyme(s) and polymer(s)are dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium and via a nozzle loadedinto a suitable spray-drying apparatus. The conditions are mild, even ifa relatively high inlet and outlet temperatures are employed, theexamples herein show that the activity of the enzyme(s) contained in theparticles remain at a high level, and even higher levels have beenobserved. Other methods may also be of relevance provided that theactivity of the enzyme(s) is not seriously destroyed (at least 80% ofthe activity should be maintained). With respect to spray-drying, theexamples herein show a remaining activity of at least 85% and remainingactivities of at least 90% and at least 100% are also seen.

In many particle formation methods, the protein is usually provided in asolution. Normally, the proteins in a particle are distributedhomogenously, which leads to difficulties in achieving an effectiveconcentration of the enzyme inside the particles to provide an adequateor increased level of enzyme activity. In a spray-drying method theprotein may be provided in solution or in dispersion or suspension,where the enzyme protein is in a solid state, for example, as an enzymeprotein nano- or micro-agglomeration. When the particles are provided tothe intended delivery site, the solid enzyme nano- ormicro-agglomeration in the particles is solvated and forms an effectiveconcentration of an enzyme solution. The enzyme concentration may be ata level such that the specifc activity increases For example, the C383Smutant of OxDC only minimally dissolves in buffers between pH 4.5-7.8,and it can be prepared as a protein nano- or micro-agglomeration in awater suspension at pH 4.5-7.8. The C383S nano- or micro-agglomerationsuspension then is mixed with a polymer solution or suspension, andparticles are formed by spray drying or other drying technologies. Theconcentration of the C383S mutant OxDC in the particles shows a specificactivity of the C383S mutant of up to 141% of its original specificactivity. Thus, spray-drying is the preferred method for making theparticles.

In the non-limiting examples herein are described methods of how tocombine the enzyme in a polymeric material. A person skilled in the artmay find other methods suitable for use in order to prepare acomposition according to the present invention. By incorporation of theenzyme in a polymeric material, the enzyme obtains a certain protectionagainst conditions similar to gastric fluid with respect to pH andpepsin. The resulting oxalate reducing enzyme composition appears asparticles, i.e. discrete units in micron- or nano-size.

Normally, the particles of a composition of the invention have anaverage diameter of from about 50 nm to about 1 mm, such as, e.g., fromabout 500 nm to about 500 μm, from about 1 μm to about 500 μm, fromabout 2 μm to about 100 μm, from about 4 μm to about 80 μm, from about 6μm to about 60 μm, from about 8 μm to about 40 μm, from about 10 μm toabout 20 μm.

Many different polymers and copolymers may be suitable for particleformation such as natural or synthetic polymers including but notlimited to, alginate, dextran, cellulose, collagen, chitosan, alginate,pectin, hyaluronic acid, PLGA, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), poly(acrylicacid), poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene glycol), poly(esters), etc.

However, in the present context Eudragit® polymers have been found tolead to the desired result, i.e. maintaining a suitable activity of theenzyme and sufficient protection of the enzyme from pepsin or otherenzymes present in the stomach as well as the low pH of the content ofthe stomach.

Eudragit® polymers are polymers based on poly(meth)acrylates and areavailable in a number of varieties e.g. for gastoresistance and GItargeting, for moisture protection and odor/taste masking, fortime-controlled drug release. Some Eudragit® polymers (Eudragit® seriesL, S and FS) have different solubility in acidic and neutral/alkalineenvironment and pH-cut off (i.e. the value at which the polymer becomessoluble) varies from 5.5 to >7. Other Eudragit® polymers (series E andEPO) are soluble in gastric fluid up to pH 5 and swellable at higher pHvalues. Some Eudragit® polymers (series RL, RS, NE and NM) are insolubleand have a pH independent swelling.

As seen from the examples herein, Eudragit® polymers of the first andthird group mentioned above are suitable for use in the particles of thepresent invention. In the first group that includes Eudragit® L100-55,L30-55, L100, L12.5, S100, S12.5, and FS30D the polymer is a methacryliccopolymers with a carboxylic acid as a functional group, i.e. thepolymer is an anionic polymer. In the second group that includesEudragit® E100, E12.5 and EPO, the polymer is aminoalkyl methacrylatecopolymers with dimethyl aminoethyl as a functional group. In the lastgroup that includes Eudragit® RL30, RL PO, RL100, RL12.5, RS30D, RS PO,RS100, RS12.5, NE 30D, NE40D, NM30D, the polymer is aminoalkylmethacrylate copolymers with trimethyl-ammonioethyl-methacrylates as afunctional group (series RL and RS) or the polymer is neutral polymersof methacrylates (series NE and NM). The polymers are available fromEvonik Industries.

The concentration of the polymer in the particles is from about 5 toabout 80% w/w such as from about 5 to about 70% w/w, from about 5 toabout 60% w/w, from about 5 to about 50% w/w, from about 10 to about 50%w/w or from about 10 to about 40% w/w.

In the examples herein, suitable particles have been formed usingEudragit® L-100, L-100-55, RS, RL, i.e. representing group one and threeabove.

The composition that is spray-dried may apart from the enzyme and thepolymeric material also contain one or more excipients or additives.Excipients can be any molecules that protect the enzyme from heat,dehydration and storage such as sugars, amino acids, surfactants, salt,etc. Pharmaceutically acceptable excipients like those described hereinmay also be employed.

The particles may be formed by known methods, preferably byspray-drying. After forming the particles comprising one or more enzymesand a polymeric material, the particles may be further treated, such asby drying, freeze-drying or lyophilization. Although freeze-drying doesnot generate particle formation, it can dry already formed particlescomprising enzymes and polymeric material. The particles can be in astate of suspension, dispersion, or emulsion, which are then subjectedto freeze dry conditions. Freeze-drying avoids heating the enzymes andmakes the drying process suitable for heat sensitive proteins.Freeze-drying or other methods (e.g. coating) may be omitted and thenparticles of polymer and oxalate reducing enzymes are formed solely byspray drying. Such particles may then be formulated into oralpharmaceutical or food formulations such as by mixing with bulking agentand e.g. filling in sachets, adding the particles to capsules,compressing the particles into tablets, incorporating the particles inchewable tablets, incorporating the particles into quick dissolve ororal dissolve tablets, or adding particles to liquids, syrups, elixirsor foodstuffs.

For example, particles were made by combining oxalate decarboxylase(OxDC) with a polymeric material, Eudragit L100. For comparison, OxDCwas lyophilized with arginine buffer only. Both the lyophilized enzyme,without polymeric material and the particles formed by spray-drying thecombination of OxDC with Eudragit L100, followed by freeze-drying,resulted in 100% recovery yields and no loss of activity. The particlescomprising OxDC with Eudragit L100 were protected from pepsindegradation in solutions from pH 3.25 to pH 5.0 for at least 40 minutes,for at least 60 minutes, for at least 90 minutes, for at least 120minutes.

The present invention comprises particles of oxalate reducing enzymes,wild-type or mutated, and a polymeric material which protects theenzymes from degradation under gastric conditions (pepsin). It can beenvisaged that the particles may comprise any oxalate reducing enzymesor cofactors, and the present invention contemplates compositions thatcomprise oxalate reducing enzymes, such as, oxalate decarboxylase,oxalate oxidase, oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase or formyl CoA transferase; ora combination of oxalyl-CoA decarboxylase and formyl CoA transferase, ora combination of any of these, and such enzymes may be native orwild-type enzymes or may be non-native or mutated enzymes havingmutations, modifications or alterations in nucleic acid sequence, aminoacid sequence, binding groups, carbohydrates, or lipids. These enzymesuse oxalate as a substrate or are active in a step in oxalate metabolismor catabolism.

Thus, the particles of the invention protect the oxalate-degradingenzyme from the gastrointestinal environment. Furthermore, the particlesof the invention do not substantially release the enzyme to thegastrointestinal environment. In other words, the enzyme remains in theparticle after oral administration for a sufficient period of time toenable oxalate in the stomach to be degraded or reduced. The enzymes maybe released from the particles while in the stomach or after leaving thestomach, depending on the type of polymer used to make the particle oron treatments to the particle, such as coating or cross-linking. In theparticles the polymeric material may function as a protective carrierfor the enzyme and at the same time may allow the substrate, i.e.oxalate, to diffuse or otherwise be transported into the composition toenable an in situ degradation of oxalate. A feature of the particles ofthe present invention is their ability to retain the enzymatic activityfor a period of time longer than that observed for an enzyme that is notin the form of such particles, especially in the presence of pepsin.Accordingly, one aspect the present invention relates to particlescomprising one or more oxalate reducing enzymes and a polymericmaterial, wherein the enzyme retains at least two times the activity ofthe one or more free enzymes (i.e. not in the form of such particles),obtained from the same batch, upon incubation a buffer containing 3.2mg/ml pepsin at pH 3.25 at 37° C. for at least 60 minutes. It isimportant that the test conditions for the particles according to theinvention and the free enzymes are the same, for example, with respectto the nature and purity of the enzyme, the initial concentration of theenzyme, the test volume, the composition of the incubation medium (e.g.the buffer), the temperature, etc.

Normally, the enzyme contained in the particles retains at least threetimes the activity, at least four times the activity, or at least fivetimes the activity of the one or more free enzymes obtained from thesame batch upon incubation in a buffer containing 3.2 mg/ml pepsin at pH3.25 at 37° C. for at least 30 minutes, at least 45 min, at least 60minutes, at least 75 minutes, at least 90 minutes, at least 105 minutesor at least 120 minutes.

In a specific embodiment, the one or more oxalate reducing enzymes inthe particles of the invention retain at least two times, at least 10times, at least 50 times or at least 100 times, the activity of the oneor more free enzyme, obtained from the same batch, upon incubation in abuffer containing 3.2 mg/ml pepsin at pH 3.25 at 37° C. for at least 60minutes.

Suitable buffer substances for providing a buffer solution having aspecific pH are known to persons skilled in the art. Examples areglycine buffers, acetate buffers, phosphate buffers, borate buffers andthe like. The buffer solution may contain additional ingredients such ase.g. inorganic salt in order to adjust the ionic strength of the buffersolution, or one or more proteases like e.g. pepsin in order to ensurethat the conditions in the buffer solutions challenge whether theembedded enzyme can withstand such harsh conditions.

Other polymers may also be present in the particles together with one ormore poly(meth)acrylate polymer. Such polymers include, but are notlimited to, man-made or natural polymers, including, but not limited to,i) a polysaccharide: alginate including alginic acid, alginate e.g.sodium alginate, potassium alginate, ammonium alginate, calciumalginate, propane-1,2-diol alginate, acacia, carrageenan, chitosan andits derivatives, chondroitin sulfate, dextran derivatives, heparin,hyaluronic acid, inulin, a cellulose or a cellulose derivative includingmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,ethylmethylcellulose, or the like or combinations thereof; ii) amucopolysaccharide, iii) a gum including locust bean gum, guar gum,tragacanth, agar, acacia gum, xanthan gum, karaya gum, tars gum, gellangum, or the like or combinations thereof; iv) a gelling- or swellingagent including hydrocolloids and hydrogelling agents such as, agar,carrageenan, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or the like, or combinationsthereof; v) others like e.g. protein and polyamide: collagen, albumin,protamine, spermine, synthetic polymer: poly (acrylic acid),polyphosphoric acid, tripolyphosphate, poly (L-lactic acid), poly (vinylalcohol), poly (DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid), Eudragit polymers,including but not limited to L-100, L-100-55, RS, RL, or copolymers ormixtures and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the polymericmaterial is Eudragit polymers, including but not limited to L-100,L-100-55, RS or RL.

Other polymeric materials that may be added to the poly(meth)acrylatepolymer formulation may be biopolymers or synthetic polymers. Examplesof biopolymers include, but are not limited to, proteins,polysaccharides, mucopolysaccharides, heparin, heparin sulfate,heparinoids, dermatan sulfate, pentosan polysulfate, chondroitinsulfate, cellulose, agarose, chitin, carrageenin, linoleic acid, andallantoin, cross-linked collagen, fibronectin, laminin, elastin,cross-linked elastin, collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, chitosanalginate, dextran, methylcellulose, polylysine, and natural rubber. Inthe compositions of the present invention wherein polymeric matrices areformed, these matrices are porous such that small water solublemolecules can enter and exit the polymeric matrix, including, but notlimited to molecules such as oxalate, formic acid, formate, carbondioxide, oxygen, or oxalyl-CoA. A concentration of the polymericmaterial in a composition of the invention is normally in a range from10% to 90% of the total dry materials

In addition to the one or more enzymes and a polymeric material, theparticles may also contain one or more additives such as, e.g., pHadjusting agents, buffering agents, solubilizing agents, stabilizers,preservatives, cofactors for the enzymes or one or more pharmaceuticallyacceptable excipients such as, e.g. fillers, bulking agents, diluents,carriers or the like.

Moreover, it may be advantageous to create a localized acidic pHenvironment around a protein when the physiological conditions result ina pH well below the reasonable working range of the enzyme. For example,in a lower pH location, an oxalate reducing protein with maximumactivity at pH 4 would benefit from a delivery vehicle capable ofincreasing the local pH in the proximity around the enzyme to around pH4.

In addition, it may be desirable to include a buffer in the deliveryvehicle in the form of a base, base containing or base generatingmaterial that works in conjunction with the in vivo pH, or the localizedpH, or a combination of both to optimize/control the local pH around theenzyme. These buffers may include salts of organic or inorganiccompounds or a number of other buffers. It is understood that the pKa ofthe conjugate acids of which the buffering materials areassociated/derived from can be utilized in the appropriate selection ofbuffering materials.

In some case a polymeric material may be applied to the particles (e.g.as a coating) in order to increase the shelf stability of the particlesor to inhibit a degradation of the enzyme. Such polymeric material may,if relevant, moreover be cross-linked. The cross-linking may be byphysical or chemical cross-linking. Physical cross-linking may compriseopposite charged polymers cross-linked with each other by salt bonds(for example: chitosan, which is positively charged, cross-links withtripolyphosphate or heparin, which are negatively charged polymers),charged polymers cross-link with opposite charged ions (for example:alginate with Ca²⁺, carboxymethyl-cellulose with Al³⁺). The term“physical cross-linking” used in the present context also includesnon-covalent bindings and/or interactions.

Chemical cross-linking generally comprises cross linking bycross-linkers with two reactive functional groups such as by polymerbearing amine groups such as proteins, polyamide, chitosan and itsderivatives, may be cross-linked through glutaraldehyde or genipin. UVirradiation can be used to induce polymers bearing light sensitivegroups to form covalent cross-links.

The properties of the particles, for examples: micro-environmentalbuffer capacity, mechanical strength, particle size, oxalate diffusionrate, interactions with enzymes, largely depend on selected polymer(s),polymer composition and ratio, optional cross-linking methods andpreparation procedures.

The particles may also be provided with a coating. Such a coating hasgenerally the same function as the polymeric material, i.e. to avoid asubstantial decrease in the enzymatic activity of the enzyme embedded inthe polymer during storage and/or after oral administration.

Suitable coating materials are such materials that allow an aqueouscomposition containing oxalate to diffuse into, or otherwise enter, theparticle of the invention. As mentioned above, the substrate (i.e. theoxalate-containing medium) enters into the particle composition of theinvention so that enzymatic degradation of oxalate can occur.Accordingly, coating materials resulting in either diffusion coating orotherwise permeable coatings (e.g. coatings containing pore-formingsubstances that are substantially water-soluble) can be applied.

Examples of suitable coating materials include, but are not limited to,the materials contemplated as the polymeric materials. A coatingmaterial may be chosen that is different than that used as the polymericmaterial, but the polymeric material and the coating material may alsobe the same. Specific examples of coating materials are film-formingagents such as, e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose(HPMC), hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, polydextrose,maltodextrin, or other polysaccharides including chitosan, alginates andhyaluronic acid. If present, the coating material is normally applied insuch an amount the weight gain of the particles is at the most about40%.

Compositions

In order to deliver the particles as described above to the stomach of ahuman or an animal, the particles may be formulated into a suitabledosage form for oral administration.

Oral formulations include, but are not limited to, capsules, tablets,chewable tablets, quick dissolve tablets, oral dissolve tablets,liquids, and other known oral formulations suitable for pharmaceuticalor food use.

A composition of the invention is suitable for use for oraladministration to a subject. A composition is provided as oralpharmaceutical formulations, which may be delivered to the oral cavity,the mouth, a buccal patch, to the stomach, attached to the stomachmucosa, in a slow release liquid, in a quick release tablet in the mouthor stomach, coating the esophagus, in a liquid or solid formaccompanying food, prior to ingesting food, or immediately afteringesting food.

Compositions of the present invention reduce dietary oxalate undergastric conditions, such as those found after consumption of food, suchas in the presence of proteases. Compositions of the present inventionreduce oxalate in the stomach of humans and other animals. Compositionsreduce oxalate, e.g. oxalate in the gastrointestinal tract, notably inthe stomach, and prevent at least a portion of exogenous oxalate (e.g.from food) from entering the systemic circulation.

A composition of the present invention comprises particles as describedabove. The particles comprises one or more oxalate reducing enzymes anda polymeric material; or particles comprising other enzymes, cofactorsand co-enzymes related to oxalate degradation pathways combined with apolymeric material, or both particles, provided separately or togetherin an oral dose form.

Such compositions comprising particles comprising other enzymes,co-factors, or co-enzymes alone may be administered simultaneously with,sequentially with, or before or after, administration of compositions ofparticles comprising oxalate reducing enzymes. The compositionscomprising particles comprising other enzymes, co-factors, or co-enzymesalone may be combined with compositions comprising particles comprisingoxalate reducing enzymes to form a single administrative dose to providean effective amount of oxalate reduction in the gastric tract.

Compositions may comprise oxalate reducing enzymes that are recombinantproteins that have a native sequence, i.e., having the gene and proteinsequence of oxalate reducing enzymes as found in nature, or may berecombinant proteins that are non-native, mutated oxalate reducingenzymes that have nucleic acid or protein mutations or are altered insome manner. For example, a non-native oxalate reducing enzyme, such asoxalate decarboxylase, may have one or more amino acid replacements. Theenzymes are described in detail herein.

A composition of the present invention comprises particles comprisingmutated recombinant oxalate reducing enzyme proteins and a polymericmaterial wherein the specific activity of the mutated recombinantoxalate reducing enzyme is higher in the particle than the specificactivity of the protein free in solution. Such particles may beadministered in compositions such as oral formulations e.g.pharmaceutical or food formulations.

Formulations include, but are not limited to, sachets, tablets,capsules, quick dissolve tablets, oral dissolving tablets, chewabletablets, powders, granules, pellets, liquids, syrups, elixirs, or otheroral dosage formulations known to those skilled in the pharmaceuticalart. The oral formulations optionally may comprise bufferingcapabilities. For example, a composition may comprise bufferingcompounds that adjust the pH of the composition and thus the surroundingenvironment, such as the stomach once the composition is ingested, toabout pH 4. With the environment of the enzyme at pH 4, the enzymes ofthe present invention are active and reduce oxalate. Such buffercompounds may be acetate, citrate, phosphate or other buffer compounds.A feature of a composition of the present invention is the ability ofthe particle to protect the oxalate-degrading enzymes from degradationby conditions such as those found in the gastric environment including,but not limited to, degradation by a protease such as pepsin.

The compositions of the present invention may also comprise one or moreadditional factors which may improve the enzyme activity. Theseadditional factors may be, e.g., oxalyl CoA, MgCl₂, and/or thiaminediphosphate (an active form of vitamin B₁), or pH buffering compounds.

The composition administered is normally in solid form e.g. in the formof powders or in a solid dosage form e.g. in the form of sachets,capsules or tablets (e.g. the particles are further processed into asuitable dosage form by methods well-known by a person skilled in theart). To this end, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients maybe added such as, e.g., fillers, binders, disintegrants, colors,flavors, pH-adjusting agents, stabilizers etc. Moreover, one or morefurther therapeutically and/or prophylactically substances may be addedand/or other enzymes, cofactors, substrates, coenzymes, minerals andother agents that are helpful in the reduction of oxalate.

Examples of suitable pharmaceutically acceptable excipients include:dextrins, maltodextrins, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, cellulosederivatives including carboxymethylcellulose calcium,carboxymethylcellulose sodium, hydroxypropylcellulose,hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), microcrystalline cellulose (e.g.,various grades of Avicel®), starches or modified starches (e.g. potatostarch, maize starch, rice starch, pre-gelatinised starch), polyvinylacetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, agar, sodium alginate, sodiumcroscarmellose, calcium hydrogen phosphate, calcium phosphate (e.g.basic calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate), calcium sulphate,carboxyalkylcellulose, dextrates, dibasic calcium phosphate, gelatine,gummi arabicum, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, and aslubricants: talc, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, stearic acid,hydrogenated vegetable oils and the like.

The compositions of the present invention are suitable for use reducingoxalate levels in humans or animals. They may also be suitable fortreating or preventing oxalate-related conditions including, but notlimited to, hyperoxaluria, absorptive hyperoxaluria, enterichyperoxaluria, primary hyperoxaluria, idiopathic calcium oxalate kidneystone disease (urolithiasis), vulvodynia, oxalosis associated withend-stage renal disease, cardiac conductance disorders, inflammatorybowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and patients whohave undergone gastrointestinal surgery and bariatric surgery (surgeryfor obesity), and/or who have undergone antibiotic treatment. Thepresent invention contemplates the treatment and prevention ofoxalate-related conditions in humans and animals.

An oxalate-degrading particle or composition of the invention isadministered in a desired amount, such as an amount that is sufficientto degrade substantially all oxalate normally present in a standardmeal. Depending on the food choices, an average Western diet can contain100 to 300 mg of oxalate/day. In general, about 0.2 g of the particlescomprising an oxalate reducing enzyme (equal to 50 mg of OxDc in 1 mL ofsuspension of particles) can degrade about 300 mg oxalate in less than30 min in simulated gastric conditions. Typical simulated gastricconditions were generated as: 100 ml of USP simulated gastric juicemixing with 400 grams of balanced western style meal (broken into smallpieces) and 500 grams of water, yielding pH in the range of 3.5-4.5.Reduction of oxalate absorption may be shown by a reduction in oxalatelevels found in the blood, serum or urine, or other body fluids.

An effective amount comprises an amount of activity units ofoxalate-reducing enzyme activity that will reduce a portion of theoxalate present, or a level of activity units of oxalate-reducing enzymeactivity that will initiate a reduction in the amount of oxalate ormaintain a lowered amount of oxalate in the individual, compared to theamount of oxalate present before administration of the composition. Thenumber of activity units of oxalate-reducing enzyme activity that can beused in a single dose composition normally ranges from about 0.001 unitsto about 20,000 units, from 0.01 to 15,000 units, from 0.1 to 10,000units, from 1 to 5000 units, from 10 to 4000 units, from 50 to 3,000units or from 100 to 2,500 units. In those cases where low doses arerequired the range may be from about 5 units to 100 units, from 0.05 to50 units, to 0.5 to 500, from about 0.01 units to about 50 units, fromabout 0.01 units to about 5 units, from about 1 units to about 100units, from about 25 units to about 50 units, from about 30 units toabout 100 units, from about 40 units to about 120 units, from about 60units to about 15 from about 50 units to about 100 units, from about 100units to about 500 units, from about 100 units to about 300 units, fromabout 100 units to about 400 units, from about 100 units to about 5,000units, from about 1,000 units to about 5,000 units, from about 2,500units to about 5,000 units, from about 0.001 units to about 2,000 unitsand all ranges encompassed therein. A unit of the enzyme is the amountof enzyme that will degrade one micromole of oxalate per minute at 37°C.

Use of Particles and Compositions—Method for Treatment

Methods of the present invention comprise providing particles,preferably spray-dried particles, compositions to the stomach of a humanor animal, for example, providing a composition that enables reducingoxalate in the stomach to reduce the absorption of oxalate from thegastrointestinal tract. The composition of particles may protect theoxalate-reducing enzymes from the enzyme-damaging environment in thestomach, and allow the enzymes to maintain enzymatic activity in such aharsh environment.

Methods of treatment and prevention comprise providing compositionstaught herein in which oxalate reducing enzymes are contained inparticles together with a polymeric material.

The particles and compositions of the present invention are suitable inmethods of reducing oxalate absorption in the body and are used in thetreatment or prevention of oxalate-related conditions including, but notlimited to, hyperoxaluria, absorptive hyperoxaluria, enterichyperoxaluria, primary hyperoxaluria, idiopathic calcium oxalate kidneystone disease (urolithiasis), vulvodynia, oxalosis associated withend-stage renal disease, cardiac conductance disorders, inflammatorybowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and patients whohave undergone gastrointestinal surgery and bariatric surgery (surgeryfor obesity), and/or who have undergone antibiotic treatment.

Methods of the present invention comprise administering a compositionthat enables reducing oxalate in the stomach in order to avoidabsorption of oxalate by the body of a human or animal, for example, byreducing oxalate from food sources. A method of providing oxalatereducing enzymes to the stomach is to provide oxalate reducing enzymesin a polymeric material in an oral pharmaceutical formulation.

A reduction in oxalate absorption may be achieved by providingoxalate-degrading enzymes to the gastrointestinal tract, particularlythe stomach, thus lowering the concentration of available oxalate forabsorption. Reduction of oxalate in the stomach will also reduce theamount of oxalate going into the intestine for absorption in thissegment of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to absorptivepathways, oxalate secretory pathways have been recently identified inthe human stomach. The compositions of the present invention would alsobe useful in degrading the oxalate secreted into the stomach from thecirculatory system, and thus the methods of the present inventioncontemplate an overall reduction of the oxalate load in an individual.

Methods for reducing oxalate in a human or animal comprise administeringan effective amount of a composition comprising one or moreoxalate-reducing enzymes or fragments having oxalate reducing activityin the particle compositions of the present invention to a subject,human or animal, and reducing oxalate present. The reduction may bemeasured in any tissue or body fluid environment of the subject. Bodyfluids include secretions of the body such as nasal or gastricsecretions, saliva, blood, serum, urine, chyme or digestive matter,tissue fluid, and other fluid or semi-solid materials made by humans oranimals. For example, oxalate reducing enzyme particle compositions canbe administered orally to a human or animal and the oxalate-reducingenzyme activity reduces the oxalate present in the stomach of the humanor animal. Particle compositions of the present invention may be mixedin liquids, food or other dietary materials and provided to a human oranimal so that the oxalate-reducing enzyme activity of the particles iseffective in the stomach environment. Particle compositions of thepresent invention may also be mixed with foodstuffs or other materialsin which oxalate is found and the oxalate-reducing enzyme activity ofthe particles reduces the oxalate present in the foodstuff or othermaterials.

Methods for reducing absorption of oxalate by a human or animal andtreating and preventing oxalate-related conditions compriseadministering a composition comprising particles comprising an effectiveamount of oxalate-reducing enzymes. An effective amount comprises anamount of activity units of oxalate-reducing enzyme activity that willreduce a portion of the oxalate present, or a level of activity units ofoxalate-reducing enzyme activity that will initiate a reduction in theamount of oxalate present in a meal or present in the tissues or bodilyfluids of the subject or maintain a lowered amount of oxalate in thesubject compared to the amount of oxalate present before administrationof the composition.

In a treatment method, an effective amount of a particle composition astaught herein is administered orally to be ingested by a subject atleast once a day, at least twice a day, at least three times a day, atleast four times a day or more if necessary, and such administration canbe for one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, or a week,two weeks, three weeks, or a month, two months, three months, fourmonths, five months, six months, more than six months, one year, twoyears, or for years or continuously through the life of the patient.Such treatment may be continued to maintain the desired oxalate levelsin a subject.

All patents, patent applications and references included herein arespecifically incorporated by reference in their entireties.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates only toexemplary embodiments of the present invention and that numerousmodifications or alterations may be made therein without departing fromthe spirit and the scope of the invention as set forth in thisdisclosure.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are providedherein, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Thereare numerous modifications or alterations that may suggest themselves tothose skilled in the art.

The present invention is further illustrated by way of the examplescontained herein, which are provided for clarity of understanding. Theexemplary embodiments should not to be construed in any way as imposinglimitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearlyunderstood that changes can be made to various other embodiments,modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading thedescription herein, may suggest themselves to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the present invention and/or thescope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLES Methods

Assay for Enzymatic Activity

Oxalate decarboxylase activity is quantified by determining the rate offormate formation. An activity mixture (390 μl) containing 40 mM oxalatein 40 mM citric acid, pH 4.0, is incubated at 37° C. for 5 min and thereaction is initiated by the addition of 10 μl of an OxDC solutioncontaining 0.2-1 mg/ml of OxDC. After 10 minutes of reaction time, 100μl of 0.5 M H2SO4 is added to quench the reaction. After centrifugationat 14000 g for 10 min, the supernatant is analyzed by HPLC.

All HPLC analyses are performed using an Agilent 1100 Series system.Separations are at 40° C. on an Aminex HPX-87H (Bio-Rad) strong ionexchange column (300×7.8 mm ID), protected with an Aminex Cation HMicro-Guard cartridge (Bio-Rad) placed outside the heater. The mobilephase for all analyses is 5 mM H2SO4 (reagent grade (Sigma)) with a flowrate of 0.6 ml/min. Injection volume is 40 μl. Detection is at 210 nmand quantification is by formate peak area.

One unit of activity is defined as the amount of OxDC that produces onemicromole of formate from oxalate in one minute under the aboveconditions, or a unit of the enzyme is the amount of enzyme that willdegrade one micromole of oxalate per minute at 3TC.

Stability Test

After incubation of OxDc free enzyme or the composition in questioncontaining the OxDc enzyme embedded in a polymeric material in 100 mMglycine buffer at pH 3.25 containing 3.2 mg/ml of pepsin for a certainperiod, the remaining OxDc activity was analyzed.

Example 1 A Process for Production of Oxalate Decarboxylase fromBacillus subtilis by E. coli

Cloning of YvrK Gene and Optimization of Gene Codons for HigherExpression

OxDC from Bacillus subtilis is a homohexameric enzyme. Each monomercontains 385 amino acids, with a molecular weight of approximately 44kDa. The OxDC gene, known as YvrK, was PCR-amplified from B. subtilisgenomic DNA and inserted into the pET9a plasmid (Novagen, catalog#69431-3) by way of NdeI and BamHI restriction sites.

The YvrK gene was codon optimized by Genscript Corp (Boston, Mass.).Some codons in the original gene sequence were changed to E. colipreferred codons in order to increase protein expression. The E. coiloptimized gene was inserted back into a pET-9a vector through NdeI andBamHI restriction sites to generate pET-9a: YvrK and the sequence of theE. coli codon optimized gene was confirmed by DNA sequencing. Theplasmid with the condon optimized gene was then transformed into E.coli. BL21(DE3) for OxDC production by induction with Isopropylβ-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG).

Expression of Oxalate Decarboxylase (OxDC) in E. coli (Fermentation)

Expression of OxDC in E. coli BL21(DE3) was conducted at 3 differentscales of fermentation: 0.4, 50 and 1000 L (liters) of media. Ingeneral, the fermentation process was initiated by inoculating theculture media with a seed culture (0.1% inoculum) of bacteria at 37° C.with shaking or agitation. IPTG was added to the culture to induce OxDCexpression when OD₆₀₀=1.0-2.0. After induction, E. coli cells wereharvested by centrifugation (less than 1000 L scale) or filtration usinghollow fiber filters approximately 8-10 hours after induction (1000 L).

Purification of Oxalate Decarboxylase (OxDC) from E. coli Cells

Lysis of E. coli cells and collecting insoluble cell debris containingOxDC. The collected E. coli cells were lysed by homogenization, and thecell debris containing OxDC was collected by centrifugation. The celldebris pellet was first suspended in deionized (DI) H₂O with a weightratio of H₂O to pellet of 3:1 to remove any remaining water solubleproteins and other E. coli cell components. The washed cell debris wascollected again by centrifugation. Approximately 10 grams of cell debrispellet was obtained from 1.0 L of culture, which contained 40-200 mg ofOxDC.

Extraction of OxDC by high concentration of (NH₄)₂SO₄. The washed celldebris was re-suspended in 3 times by weight of 50 mM Tris HCl buffer,pH 8.0 containing 0.75M (NH₄)₂SO₄ for extraction of OxDC. The suspensionwas stirred at 20-25° C. for 30 minutes and the extracted OxDC wascollected by centrifugation. Approximately 60% of the expressed OxDC wasusually extracted from the pellet by this method.

Anion exchange chromatography column. The extract was diluted 3 timeswith 50 mM Tris HCl, pH 8.0 and then passed through a Q-sepharose columnwhich was pre-equilibrated with 50 mM Tris HCl, pH 8.0 containing 0.25 M(NH₄)₂SO₄. DNA and other impurities bound to the column while OxDCpasses through and collected.

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography column with a gradient evolution.The (NH₄)₂SO₄ concentration in the OxDC solution collected from theQ-sepharose column was adjusted to 2.0 M by addition of solid (NH₄)₂SO₄and was loaded into a pre-equilibrated phenyl-sepharose column. OxDC waseluted by way of an (NH₄)₂SO₄ gradient. OxDC was eluted into two mainpeaks at 1.3 M and 0.9 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ respectively (FIG. 1). The peak at1.3 M (NH₄)₂SO₄ contained approximately 70% of the total OxDC and had ahigher purity (>95%). OxDC from this peak was usually selected for thenext step.

G-25 column for desalting. OxDC collected from the peak at 1.3 M(NH₄)₂SO₄ was loaded onto a G-25 sepharose containing column fordesalting. Approximately 30 mg of purified OxDC was normally obtainedfrom 10 grams of cell debris.

Example 2 Modification of OxDC Solubility to Increase Expression Level

OxDC has limited solubility at pH 4.5-7.8. The pH of E. coli cytoplasmis close to 7.6; thus, OxDC solubility in E. coli cytoplasm is verylimited. In fact, it is observed that most OxDC expressed by E. coli isfound in the lysed pellet rather than the supernatant.

Among the last 6 amino acid residues (residues 380-385) at theC-terminal tail of OxDC, there are four positively charged lysines, andtwo polar amino acids: serine and cysteine (Cys383). There are numerousamino acids to choose from to selectively replace cysteine or serinewith side chains more or less polar. However, Cys383 which is the onlycysteine residue residing in OxDC was selected. The three amino acidsselected to replace cysteine were: arginine (R), serine (S) and alanine(A). The C383R, C383S and C383A mutants were created by standardsite-directed mutagenesis and sequences of each gene was confirmed byDNA sequencing. The C383R, C383S and C383A mutants were expressed asdescribed in Example 1 in 0.4 L scale shake flasks. E. coli cells werecollected by centrifugation and lyzed by a standard protocol: E. colicells were suspended in lysozyme solution and two cycles offreeze/thrawing. Complete lysis of E. coli cells was confirmedmicroscope analysis. Soluble and insoluble parts of these mutant enzymeswere separated by centrifugation. Mutant enzymes in the insolublepellets were extracted according to the method described in Example 1.The quantity of total mutant enzymes in the soluble part and theinsoluble part (the extracted enzymes) were determined by activity assayand protein concentration. The purity of the extracted mutant enzymeswas estimated from SDS-PAGE. The results of the 3 mutants and wild typeenzyme are shown in Table 1.

The expression levels of wild type OxDC (C383C), C383R, C383S, and C383Amutants of OxDC and their distributions in the lysate (soluble form) andcell debris pellet (insoluble forms, but extracted) are shown below. Thedata were obtained from 6 grams of E. coli cell paste, which is equal toapproximately 4 grams of lysed cell pellet, or 0.4 L of culture.

TABLE 1 The expression levels of wild type OxDC (C383), C383R, C383S,and C383A mutants of OxDC and their distributions in the lysate (solubleform) and cell debris pellet (insoluble form, but extracted). OxDC OxDCRatio of in in Soluble Total Specific Relative lysate pellet vs In- OxDCactivity specific (mg) (mg) soluble (mg) (U/mg) activity C383R 12 620.19 74 72 1.06 C383 (Wild 6.3 108 0.05 114 68 1 type) C383S 3.2 5100.006 513 61 0.90 C383A 0 530 0 530 28 0.41

As shown in Table 1, mutating C383 altered the distribution of OxDCbetween soluble and insoluble fractions with the more polar side chaingenerating mutants with a higher ratio of soluble proteins in thelysate. The higher ratios of soluble proteins in the lysate correlatedwith lower expression level, but higher specific activity. The C383Rmutant showed 6% higher specific activity than the wild type, butexpression level was much lower. Although the C383A mutant OxDC showed aslightly higher expression than level than the C383S mutant, thespecific activity was less than half of the C383S mutant. The C383Smutant expression level was approximately 5 times higher than theexpression level of wild type OxDC and its specific activity was 90% ascompared to wild type. The other properties of the C383S mutant enzymewere further characterized and compared with the wild type. Both thewild type and C383S mutant of OxDC are active between pH 3.5 and 5.5with optimum activity at pH 4.0. Both enzymes are stable between pH 3.5and 9.5 and at temperatures approaching 60° C. for at least 1 hr. Inaddition, the wild type showed at least two major peaks on aphenyl-sepharose column indicating more than one OxDC isoform, while theC383S mutant showed only one peak on the same column and under identicalconditions (FIG. 1). The two isoforms of wild type OxDC introduces amore obstacles in terms of purification due to separation of two similarisoforms. For example, it may require a gradient elution on hydrophobicinteraction chromatography column to separate the two isoforms. The twoisoforms may also decrease the final yield of purified enzyme becausemore purification steps are required and each additional purificationstep results in losses in yield. In addition, one of the two isoformsmay be useless.

Example 3 Alternative Expression System for the C383S Mutant

Construction of expression vectors. IPTG induction was compared with twoother induction methods: rhamnose and temperature using a Lybradynproprietary vector incorporated with the corresponding promotors. Theresults from small scale fermentation experiments indicated that allmethods effectively expressed OxDC.

The vectors were constructed by standard molecular biological methods.The NdeI/BamHI fragment bearing the E. coli optimized YvrK gene wasinserted into the NdeI/BamHI site of a Labradyn vector No. 101 under thecontrol of the rhamnose-inducible promoter to create the plasmidpOTrhamC383S, which was transformed into E. coli BW25113 for OxDCproduction. The temperature-inducible vector pOTlprC383S was generatedby replacing the rhamnose-induced promoter from pOTrhamC383S with atemperature induced promoter λ_(PR) from phage lambda (lpr) carried by aLybradyn vector No. 102 through MunI and AfIII restriction sites. Theexpression vectors were later transformed into E. coil BW25113 for OxDCproduction. Other elements found in the vector include promoter andregulatory sequences, ribosome binding site, kanamycin/neomycinresistance, cer segregational stability element, and Rop plasmid copynumber regulator sequences.

Comparison of expression level of the three expression vectors.Fermentation was performed in 200 mL flasks. The fermentation of OxDC byrhamnose induction was identical to IPTG induction as described inExample 1, except that 0.2% rhamnose was added at induction instead of1.0 mM IPTG. The fermentation of OxDC by temperature induction was thesame as IPTG and rhamnose induction except for two differences: E. coilwas cultured at 30° C. instead of 37° C. and the induction was done byincreasing the culture temperature to 42° C.

E. coli cells were harvested and lysed and OxDC was extracted from celldebris according to the methods described in Example 1. Both rhamnoseand temperature induced expression systems yielded 400-600 mg of activeC383S OxDC per liter of culture, a level close to IPTG expression (500mg OxDC per liter of culture). Therefore, the temperature inducibleexpression system was selected.

Example 4 A Simple Purification Process with Solubility Adjustment by pH

Background. OxDC has limited solubility at pH 4.5-7.8 for the wild typeand pH 4.0-8.0 for the C383S mutant. OxDC solubility increases if the pHis greater than 8.5 for the wild type OxDC and pH 9.0 for the C383Smutant. Tris and arginine are selective binding ligands to OxDC;therefore, both can greatly increase OxDC solubility. The purificationprocess is applicable for the wild type and C383S mutant; however, onlythe C383S mutant is used to illustrate the purification method.

Step 1: extraction of C383S from cell debris pellet. All purificationsteps were performed at room temperature. Before extraction of C383S, E.coli cells were lyzed, cell debris was collected and washed with waterto remove any soluble cell components according to the methods describedin Example 1. However, the extraction of the OxDC from the cell debrishere was different from Example 1. In Example 1, 0.75M (NH₄)₂SO₄ wasadded into 50 mM Tris buffer (pH 8.0) to extract OxDC from the pellet.In this method, extraction buffer was 50 mM Arginine or Tris HCl (pH9.5) without addition of (NH₄)₂SO₄. The method was able to extract moreof the C383S (>90% of total C383S in the pellet) mutant enzyme than themethod described in Example 1 (75% of the total C383S mutant that wasexpressed) with much less host cell DNA and other impurities. The purityof C383S was usually greater than 99% (Table 2). In addition, theconcentration of the C383S mutant OxDC in the extract reached 120 g/L,which reduced water use and also reduced the scale of the following step(Step 2).

Step 2: filtration. The majority of the impurities found in the extractwere endotoxin which can be removed by two to three depth filters afteraddition of 0.6 M NaCl: the first filter was rated at 3 micron, thesecond 1.2 micron and finally the third depth filter was 0.2 or 0.1micron. After filtration, the extract contained reduced levels ofendotoxin (Table 2) and was ready for precipitation. If higher puritywas required, one hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) columnwas introduced for further processing before precipitation.

Step 3 (optional): HIC column. The filtrered C383S mutant OxDC solutionwas loaded onto an HIC column pre-equlibrated with 0.6 M NaCl in 50 mMArg or Tris, pH 9.5. OxDC flowed through the column while impuritiesbound to the column which removed the impurites from the C383S solution.The C383S mutant flow through was collected for precipitation.

Step 3: precipitation by pH adjustment. For pH adjustment, 0.2 M citratebuffer, pH 3.0 was added dropwise to the C383S solution while stirringuntil the pH reached 7.0. The C383S mutant solubility dropped to lessthan 1 g/L at pH 7.0; thus, 99% of C383S (if starting concentration ofthe C383S mutant was 100 g/L) precipitates and was collected bycentrifugation. The collected C383S mutant pellet may be washed 2-3times to remove remaining NaCl, arginine or Tris by 50 mM citratebuffer, pH 6.0. The washed C383S pellet was in a very pure form (Table2).

TABLE 2 Summary of a typical purification process starting with 5 kg oflysed cell pellet. The data in this table is the analysis results forthe OxDC materials obtained at the end of each step. Protein SpecificTotal concen- activity amount Purity DNA Endotoxin tration (U/mg protein(SDS- (ng/mg (EU/mg (g/L) protein) (g) PAGE) protein) protein)Extraction 99 45.4 440 100 3.4 22000 Filtration 90 44.0 420 100 4.0 4000HIC 60 44.3 360 100 4.1 <0.5 Precipitation 50-100 44.6 350 100 3.7 <0.5

Example 5 Spray Dry Dose Formulations (Particle Formation)

Process. All spray dry experiments were carried out with a Niro MobleMinor. Typical spray dry operation conditions are as follows: inlettemperature: 180-220° C., outlet temperature: 85-95° C., flow rate ofdry air: 60-90 kg/h, atomization airflow: 8-15 kg/h, orifice diameter ofthe nozzle: 1-2 mm, feed flow rate: 1-4 kg/h. Table 3 summarizescompositions of different particle formulations according to thisinvention.

Results. Table 4 summarizes the specific activity of the C383S mutantsin different spray dry particle formulations and in solution afterredissolving the particles in phosphate buffer, pH 7.5. The polymer L100-55 dissolved in water when pH is greater than 5.5. The control wasthe C383S mutant suspended in 50 mM citrate buffer without anyprotection from polymers, which lost 39% activity due to the hightemperature and dehydration experienced during the spray dry process.The C383S mutant in formulations 1 and 2 was in solution and evenlydistributed. The C383S mutant distribution in the outside layer of thespray dry microdrops might have inactivated during the spray dry processand thus resulted in 13% and 7% loss of activity, respectively. Incontrast, the specific activity of the C383S mutant in formulations 3 to8 were greater than formulation 1. When the structure of these particlesis destroyed, for example, dissolving formulations 4-7 in 50 mMphosphate, pH 7.5, the specific activity returned to normal or evenreduced levels as compared to free C383S, due to partial inactivationduring spray drying.

Table 5 summarizes the stability data generated from these dryparticles. Incubation at 45° C. for specified periods of time, showedexcellent stability of formulations 1, 4 and 5.

Table 6 summarizes the results from in vitro pepsin protection testing.The particles were suspended in a pepsin (3.2 g/L)/acetate buffer. pH at3.25, for 40 minutes at 37° C. while agitating at 1100 rpm. Theremaining activity after treatment was measured by an activity assay.Formulation 1 did not give significant protection because it dissolvedin water and destroyed the particle structure. Formulations 2 to 8 allshowed protection from pepsin.

TABLE 3 Formulations that were tested by spray drying Formulation 1 0.6%OxDC, 6% trehalose, 1.2% PVA and 1.2% Eudragit L100 in 12 mM arginine,pH 8.5 2 2% OxDC, 2% trehalose, 2% arginine and 3.9% Eudragit L100-55,pH 9.0 3 3% OxDC, 2% trehalose, 2.6% arginine and 4.5% Eudragit L100-55,pH 5.4 4 The same as 2, except addition of 0.3% TEC 5 The same as 3except without addition of arginine 6 3% OxDC, 2% trehalose, 2.6%arginine, 0.3% TEC and 4.5% Eudragit FS30D, pH 5.4 7 3% OxDC, 2%trehalose, 2.6% arginine, 0.3% TEC and 4.5% Eudragit RS, pH 5.4 8 3%OxDC, 2% trehalose, 2.6% arginine, 0.3% TEC and 2.25% Eudragit RL and2.25% Eudragit RS, pH 5.4

TABLE 4 The specific activity of C383S in spray drying particles and inthe solutions after these particles were destructed by dissolving inphosphate buffer at pH 7.5. C383S specific C383S specific activity inC383S specific activity after particles activity change particlesdissolved Test (U/mg protein)^(B) (%) (U/mg protein) Free 45 100 — C383SControl^(A) 27.5 61 27.0 1 39.2 87 39.4 2 48.9 93 48.5 3 57.2 127 — 463.5 141 44.3 5 55.8 124 42.6 6 46.8 104 41.7 7 57.2 127 43.0 8 57.2 127— ^(A)Control: C383S suspended in 50 mM citrate buffer, pH 6.0, andspray dried under the same conditions. ^(B)Calculation of C383S specificactivity: B/A. Here, A = the amount of C383S (mg) in 1 gram of solidmass of the feed; B = the total activity (U) in one gram of dryparticles obtained from spray dry.

TABLE 5 The activity remaining after a certain period of incubation at45° C. Test 0 week 1 week 2 week 4 week 8 week 12 week Control 1 36.1 —37.6 40.0 — 41.6 2 42 35.9 3 57.2 44.2 4 63.5 52.2 — 65.3 5 54.9 — 51.447.2 6 46.8 29.1 7 57.1  3.2 8 57.1 42.5

TABLE 6 The activity after 40 min treated with 3.2 mg/ml pepsin solutionat pH 3.25. C383S activity Test remained (%) Control 22 1 30 2 72 3 75 482 5 80 6 89 7 77 8 79

Example 6 In Vivo Dose of Oxalate Reducing Particles

A 10-day study was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate the effects of administration of formulation5 in Table 2 on the urinary response to oxalate loading in maleSprague-Dawley rats.

The study used 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into 3groups as shown in Table 7, which were administered oral doses offormulation 5 (Group 3) or vehicle (Group 2, control, 50 mM sodiumcitrate, pH 4.49) together with high oxalate diet. Group 1 was anothercontrol group, the 6 rats in this group were not administered a highoxalate diet, nor formulation 5. The rats were oral gavaged twice a day(BID). Rats in Group 3 received 500 U of formulation 5. After the ratswere dosed, 30 minutes after the start of feeding, the rats were givenaccess to food for an additional 1.5 hours in the morning (7:00-9:00 AM)and evening (3:30-5:30 PM). Food was weighed before the morning feedingand after both the morning and afternoon feedings. The rats were fed intheir normal cages and immediately transferred to metabolic cages afterdose administration on days—1, 4 and 9 in order to capture urine andfecal excretions.

Oxalate Determination

Quantitative oxalate determination from urine was determined by thecolorimetric kit purchased from Trinity Biotech USA (St. Louis, Mo.).The assay is comprised of two enzymatic reactions as follows: (1)oxalate is oxidized to CO₂ and H₂O₂ by oxalate oxidase and (2) H₂O₂reacts with 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) and3-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (DMAB) in the presence of peroxidase toyield an indamine dye which can be detected at 590 nm. Urinary oxalateis calculated from a standard curve.

Creatinine Determination

Creatinine determination by LiquiColor® Procedure No. 0420. Thecreatinine colorimetric kit for the quantitative determination ofcreatinine in urine was purchased from StanBio Laboratory (Bocrne,Tex.). The assay is based on a modification of the automated reactionrate of Fabinay and Eringshausen method in which creatinine reacts withpicric acid in alkaline conditions to form a color complex at 510 nm.The color development is directly proportional to the creatinineconcentration. Urinary creatinine is calculated from a standard curve.

TABLE 7 Study Design Urinary oxalate # of Days of excretion Group DietDose Rats dosing (Ox/Cr) 1 No Ox 50 mM Citrate 6 10 2 HOD 50 mM Citrate6 10 3 HOD Formulation 5 6 10 HOD = High Oxalate Diet (Harlan TekladTD04493) No Ox = Harlan Teklad TD89222 Groups 1 and 2: 50 mM sodiumcitrate, pH 4.49 Group 3: formulation 5

Results

Dosing formulation 5 with high oxalate diet significantly decreasedurinary oxalate excretion of all six rats in group 3. On an average 500U of formulation 5 fed with dietary oxalate was found to reduce urinaryoxalate excretion by 49-59% (FIG. 2).

The invention claimed is:
 1. Spray-dried particles comprising one ormore isolated recombinant oxalate decarboxylase proteins encoded by thenucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, which are insoluble in thecytoplasm of a host cell and are not found as an inclusion body, and apolymeric material, wherein the activity of the one or more recombinantproteins at the most decreases to about 30% when incubated in a 3.2mg/ml pepsin solution having a pH of about 3.2 for 40 minutes with theinitial activity being set to 100%.
 2. The particles of claim 1, whereinthe polymeric material is a poly(meth)acrylate.
 3. A compositioncomprising spray-dried particles as defined in claim
 1. 4. Thecomposition of claim 3, wherein the composition is an oral dosage form.5. The composition of claim 4, wherein the oral dosage form is in a formselected from the group consisting of a sachet, tablet, capsule,chewable tablet, quick dissolve tablet, oral disintegrating tablet,liquid, syrup and elixir.
 6. The spray-dried particles of claim 1,wherein the one or more recombinant oxalate decarboxylase proteins areisolated by a method comprising: (a) separating said one or moreinsoluble recombinant proteins not found as an inclusion body fromsoluble host cell proteins and (b) solubilising the separated one ormore recombinant proteins.
 7. The spray-dried particles of claim 6,wherein the method of isolating the recombinant oxalate decarboxylaseproteins further comprises: (c) isolating the one or more solubilizedrecombinant proteins from the solubilising solution.
 8. The spray-driedparticles of claim 6, wherein the separating of the one or morerecombinant proteins comprises centrifugation or filtration.
 9. Thespray-dried particles of claim 6, wherein the solubilising of the one ormore recombinant proteins comprises adding binding ligands or providinga pH in which the one or more proteins are soluble.
 10. The spray-driedparticles of claim 7, wherein the isolating comprises precipitating theone or more recombinant proteins out of the solubilising solution. 11.The spray-dried particles of claim 10, the method of isolating therecombinant oxalate decarboxylase proteins further comprises washing theprecipitated one or more recombinant proteins.
 12. A method for makingspray-dried particles according to claim 1, comprising one or moreisolated recombinant oxalate decarboxylase proteins encoded by thenucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, which are insoluble in thecytoplasm of a host cell and are not found as an inclusion body, and apolymeric material, comprising isolating one or more recombinant oxalatedecarboxylase proteins encoded by the nucleotide sequence of SEQ IDNO:18, that are insoluble in the cytoplasm of a host cell and are notfound as an inclusion body, by a method comprising: (a) separating saidone or more insoluble recombinant proteins not found as an inclusionbody from soluble host cell proteins; and (b) solubilising the separatedone or more recombinant proteins, wherein the activity of the one ormore recombinant proteins at the most decreases to about 30% whenincubated in a 3.2 mg/ml pepsin solution having a pH of about 3.2 for 40minutes with the initial activity being set to 100%.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, further comprising, (c) isolating the one or more solubilizedrecombinant proteins from the solubilising solution.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the separating of the one or more recombinant proteinscomprises centrifugation or filtration.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein the solubilising of the one or more recombinant proteinscomprises adding binding ligands or providing a pH in which the one ormore proteins are soluble.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein theisolating comprises precipitating the one or more recombinant proteinsout of the solubilising solution.
 17. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising washing the precipitated one or more recombinant proteins.18. A method for reducing absorption of oxalate, comprising orallyadministering to the stomach of a human or animal a compositioncomprising spray-dried particles according to claim
 1. 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the human or animal is suffering from anoxalate-related condition selected from the group consisting ofhyperoxaluria, absorptive hyperoxaluria, enteric hyperoxaluria, primaryhyperoxaluria, idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stone disease(urolithiasis), vulvodynia, oxalosis associated with end-stage renaldisease, cardiac conductance disorders, inflammatory bowel disease,Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, post-gastrointestinal surgeryconditions, post-bariatric surgery conditions, post-surgery for obesityconditions, and postantibiotic treatment.
 20. A method for isolating oneor more recombinant oxalate decarboxylase proteins encoded by thenucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:18, that are insoluble in the cytoplasmof a host cell and are not found as an inclusion body, comprising: (a)separating one or more insoluble recombinant proteins not found as aninclusion body from soluble host cell proteins; and (b) solubilising theseparated one or more recombinant proteins, wherein the activity of theone or more recombinant proteins at the most decreases to about 30% whenincubated in a 3.2 mg/ml pepsin solution having a pH of about 3.2 for 40minutes with the initial activity being set to 100%.